Rapid and robust variable flip angle T1 mapping using interleaved two‐dimensional multislice spoiled gradient echo imaging

Purpose Conventional T1 mapping using three‐dimensional (3D) radiofrequency (RF) spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) imaging with short repetition times (TR) is adversely affected by incomplete spoiling (i.e. residual T2 dependency). In this work, an optimized interleaved 2D multislice SPGR sequence scheme and an adapted postprocessing procedure are evaluated for highly T2‐insensitive T1 quantification of human brain tissues. Methods An efficient 2D multislice SPGR protocol including a relatively long TR of 200 ms is investigated with careful consideration of cross talk and magnetization transfer effects. Based on the derived scan protocol, T1 is quantified from the signal ratio of two SPGR datasets acquired at different flip angles. The effect of nonideal RF excitation profiles is incorporated into the SPGR signal model by performing Bloch simulations. Results Simulations showed that the parameters of the SPGR protocol (such as TR and the spoiler gradient moments) guarantee virtually complete spoiling. This result was confirmed by T1 measurements both in vitro using a 2% agar probe doped with 0.1 mM Gd (Gadovist) and in vivo in the human brain. Conclusion The derived 2D multislice SPGR protocol offers efficient, highly reproducible, and in particular T2‐insensitive T1 quantification of human brain tissues.